Is fresh, local, live, cider medicinal?!

Regular media articles indicate that all fermented foods are good for us including coffee, wine, kimchi, sourdough, yoghurt and even chocolate. It seems that the more ‘live’ the food or drink is, the better they are for our gut biome and health.

A live yoghurt is better than a pasteurised one and a live kimchi better than heated Sauerkraut. Likewise wine, beer and cider made from fermented fruit or grain are better if fermented naturally and not pasteurised.

In the case if cider only a tiny quantity of what is available in shops and pubs has not been pasteurised, most of it has not even fermented from real apple juice.

The vast proportion of the cider we buy is made from concentrated apple juice mixed with alcohol and water. Unfortunately even the naturally fermented ciders made from local apples are often pasteurised to stop the fermentation process exploding bottles or turning all the sugar to alcohol.

Pasteurisation has been used to preserve food since the mid 1800s and is a huge benefit for food and drink safety, and supply chains. In the case of milk it helped stop the spread of tuberculosis and increase the shelf life of milk by many days.

Unfortunately many nutritional qualities are destroyed in the process and food and drink, like cider, are ruined to suit the needs of the supermarkets or supply chain.

This is why homemade or locally made real, raw cider could be medicinal.

Here is what the amazing ChatGPT provided within 8 seconds of asking the question above:

Homemade cider may have some potential medicinal benefits, but it’s important to note that the effectiveness of homemade cider as a medicine has not been scientifically proven. Some people believe that consuming homemade cider can help alleviate certain health issues, such as improving digestion, boosting the immune system, and reducing inflammation.

Cider is made from apples, which are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and other beneficial compounds that may have some health benefits. For example, some studies suggest that consuming apples or apple products may reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

However, it’s important to note that homemade cider can also contain high levels of sugar, which can have negative health effects if consumed in excess. Additionally, if the cider is not prepared properly, it can contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.

Nearly all commercial cider is made from concentrate not pure apple juice

Therefore, it’s important to consume homemade cider in moderation and to ensure that it is prepared safely and with high-quality ingredients. If you have any health concerns or are looking to use cider as a medicinal remedy, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming it.

There you have it. I made 150L this year and enjoy 1 pint bottle every night. I feel really healthy and the arthritis in my wrist has almost gone away. Please use our map to find your local cider maker and request raw cider or put an order in for next year. Or make it yourself, I got all the information I needed from You tube.